I was born 66 years ago at the tiny Southern Nevada Memorial Hospital on West Charleston Boulevard. Through the years, I have seen political neglect of this part of the state by those in power in Northern Nevada.

Were not Southern Nevada’s elderly, workers, children and families important then? Are they not important now?

It is time to change direction in this state. With compassion and forward-thinking we should make education and a medical school in Southern Nevada a priority. The time is now for Southern Nevada’s business, political, educational, social and humanitarian leaders to right this ship.

This is not a call to undo the good that has been done in the rest of our great state. Rather, it is a call to treat all citizens with respect, honoring the uniqueness of all communities.